1) Many people have reported that when they take the fire report to the MLA’s office, the office staff or the MLA tries to divert the discussion off the fire issue to the health issue or the privacy issue. Please, don’t let them do this. The health and privacy issues, although important, will take long to argue and will, most likely, take court action for a remedy. But the fire issue cannot be debated – the evidence is clear, and the Liberal MLAs, especially, don’t want to acknowledge it. Even some of the NDP MLAs have tried to discuss what they’ve done in the past. None of this counts – the fire issue is real, we can prove the fires have occurred and there is every reason to believe more will happen. We must insist that we be given the same protection as people in Saskatchewan – remove these fire hazards NOW!!

2) In Quebec, many people are seeing bills increasing by 2-3 times after $$meters are installed, much as is happening here in BC. And many of the meters in Quebec are the same as BC Hydro uses and FortisBC will use – ITRON C1S (Centron II). There is something inherently wrong with these meters, perhaps allowing interference to cause them to run fast.

I sent this email to my MLA and delivered a hard copy of the entire report to him personally. He was very receptive and was particularly interested in the references to fires that have occurred in BC, as the authorities claim that BC doesn’t have the same problems as Saskatchewan and elsewhere. He now has proof he can use.

Dear Mr. Bains:

I am delivering the following letter and attached information to your Newton office. I would appreciate your reading the information and taking a few moments to let me know by email that you have received it. I would also like to know the NDP’s position on smart meters and what, if anything, your party is doing on our behalf regarding this issue.

Thank you in advance.

Mr. Harry Bains, MLA Surrey Newton

August 19, 2014

Dear Mr. Bains:

I am giving you this information about fires because I am concerned that I will be forced to have a smart meter, a fire hazard, on my home.

As your constituent I implore you to do all you can to have this program stopped, and to have all smart meters removed, as they have done in Saskatchewan, Portland, Oregon, and elsewhere. We deserve to be treated with the same level of concern as the people in other places. Our lives, the lives of our families, and our homes are at risk.

Mr. Bains , it is your duty to protect us, and I am asking you to protect me and my family.

If Industry Canada is Richer by $5.27 billion why can’t they spend a million or two and prove definitely (and scientifically) that there is no harm caused to biological entities be Electromagnetic Radiation (Pulsing and non-pulsing) and no harm caused to biological entities from Electromagnetic frequencies, and then they can upgrade Safety Code 6 to tell the truth. Don’t depend on Industry to prove that it is safe, as they have proven they will not spend the money. Now Canada has the money and they can spend a small portion of it. And if Canada cannot prove it is safe, then it isn’t. Then another scientific solution has to be found.

Thank you for your email of July 15, 2014, regarding radiofrequency exposure standards and Safety Code 6. I appreciate your taking the time to share your concerns.

Health Canada is the federal department responsible for protecting the health and safety of Canadians. It has set limits for exposure to radio waves, which are published in a document commonly known as Safety Code 6. This code establishes the safe limits for human exposure to radiofrequency energy. For more than two decades, Health Canada has conducted its own research on the biological effects of radiofrequency energy. A list of Health Canada studies on this subject is available on its website.

As Minister of this department that quotes Safety Code 6 as being the document that establishes safe limits for human exposure, I would assume that it is your responsibility to ensure that it is actually safe, and if it is not, I would think it would be your responsibility to see that it was corrected. If there was another Canadian Government Department that was responsible for correcting Safety Code 6, I assume that Industry Canada would ensure, before adopting Health Canada’s Safety Code 6, that it was correct. As Industry Canada is the direct beneficiary of the $5.27 billion of the recent auction of the 700 MHz range, surely you could afford the $10 to $20 million required by Health Canada to investigate whether this frequency range was healthy to humans or not. Health Canada last published findings in 2009. They show on the website you refer to that there would be an update in 2012 which I cannot find. With that money you could insist on a science based update in 2014.

For its part, Industry Canada is responsible for radio communication, including technical aspects related to broadcasting, and has adopted Health Canada’s Safety Code 6 limits in its standards and regulations. In carrying out this responsibility, Industry Canada requires that all operators and manufacturers of radio installations and equipment comply with Safety Code 6. Please be assured that Industry Canada officials continue to work closely with Health Canada officials on this matter.

As you indicate, you work closely with Health Canada officials in this matter, so why don’t you undertake the financing of a science based study that will answer my question. You have received the $5.27 billion for auctioning off an electromagnetic spectrum that could have dire consequences to the Health and Welfare of Canadian Citizens, and could have negative effects on our Medical costs. Health Canada seems to rely on others to do the scientific research rather than doing it themselves. Health Canada scientist, James McNamee, admitted that the Safety Code 6 guideline for microwave radiation (which includes radiation from most of the devices we are concerned about like mobile phones, cell phone antennas, Wi-Fi, wireless toys and baby monitors, smart meters etc.) is based ONLY on preventing a heating effect! For documents that Health Canada DID consider, Dr. McNamee stated . . .

“Document supported Health Canada’s decision.”

That is not science based evidence! If Industry Canada officials work closely with Health Canada officials, how can such findings be relied upon by Industry Canada’s Safety Code 6. As you know, Health Canada has not always been correct, e.g. tobacco, thalidomide, etc. The internet is full of scientific documents that are not supported by Health Canada.